What is speed, in simple words?
Speed is how quickly something moves — how much distance it covers in a given time. A car going 60 km/h covers 60 kilometres every hour.
// physics › Speed, Distance & Time
Speed
Find speed from distance and time, or solve for distance or time, using v = d / t.
v = d / t
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula?
Speed = distance ÷ time, written v = d/t. If you run 100 metres in 10 seconds, your speed is 100 ÷ 10 = 10 metres per second.
How do I find distance or time instead?
It is the same relationship rearranged: distance = speed × time, and time = distance ÷ speed. Choose what you want in the 'Solve for' box. (There are also separate Distance and Time calculators if you prefer.)
What units should I use?
Metres and seconds give speed in metres per second (m/s). Kilometres and hours give km/h. Just keep the distance and time in matching units.
What is the difference between speed and velocity?
Speed is just how fast you go. Velocity is speed plus direction — so 10 m/s north is a velocity, while 10 m/s on its own is a speed. For this calculator they are treated the same.
Where do I see this in real life?
Working out a journey time, reading a car speedometer, or pacing a run — they all use speed = distance ÷ time.